2016 Mitsubishi Outlander shows marked improvement
Technically, by automotive standards, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander has been undergoing a refresh. But with 100 new enhancements, it’s tough not to consider this an all-new SUV developed by a Japanese brand that’s not very high on anyone’s radar.
That may change, though, with the new Outlander. “This is probably the best product we have ever brought to market,’’ says Mitsubishi Executive Vice President Don Swearingnen. “We tried to challenge the status quo.’’
This is a challenge because Mitsubishi is entering a crowded segment with incredibly good vehicles. Will Mitsubishi’s best be good enough? It all depends on what you are looking for in a compact crossover.
One element that might set it apart from the competition is the Outlander is the only four-cylinder compact crossover that can seat seven in three rows. There’s not room for seven and their cargo, necessarily, but it does make for an effective people mover.
The 2.4-liter, single overhead cam, inline four-cylinder engine might feel overwhelmed with a full load and just 166 horsepower and 162 lb. ft. of torque. But the Outlander also stands out because it’s the only Japanese compact crossover available with a V6 engine. So, the power can be there if you want it. On another positive note, the front-wheel drive configuration is rated at 31-mpg highway and 25-mpg city for a combined 27 mpg. In all-wheel drive, your numbers are going to drop only slightly to 29/24/26 respectively.
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The Mitsubishi Outlander and other Top Safety Pick+ Winners
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That could be the Outlander’s biggest selling point. As Swearingnen said in a presentation to the media in San Francisco, the top five purchase reasons customers cite when shopping for an Outlander are: fuel, value, third row, price or deal, and, safety features. The new crossover easily has the first three areas covered.
Price or deal should also be a strong consideration. The base Outlander has a starting price of $22,895, which is a reduction from the 2015 model. The base all-wheel drive model is going to cost you $25,995 because it’s only available on the SE trim levels and above as a $2,000 option.
With AWD, fuel economy drops to 20-mpg city and 27-mpg highway for a combined 23 mpg. However, you do get a compact crossover with 224 horsepower and 215 lb. ft. of torque. In addition, it’s rated for 3,500 lbs. of towing.
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlanders driven outside of San Francisco were all extremely good at what they’re supposed to do. The ride is quiet, handling is good (enhanced according to Mitsubishi), and the CVT-8 transmission delivers good acceleration. The best compliment one can pay a CVT is to forget it’s even there.
The interior of the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, which features seating for seven among three rows, is as crisply redesigned as the exterior.
By the way, Mitsubishi made the mistake of letting us drive a 2015 Outlander for comparison. I can confidently say—short of a drastic price reduction of say 40 percent—there is no reason to buy the 2015 model before a 2016 model. The latter is better looking, rides better, and is just superior in every way.
The Mitsubishi Outlander has been a Top Safety Pick Plus for three years in a row and there’s no reason to doubt the 2016 model will be, too. Every 2016 Outlander includes seven air bags; its front seat air bags are equipped with passenger weight and driver’s seat position sensors. The car also carries front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and curtain side air bags with roll-over sensors. There’s an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, hill start assist, active stability control with traction control logic, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
One nagging safety element is the optional lane departure warning system. On the 2015 models and earlier, when the system was switched off it would automatically turn back on when the Outlander was restarted. With the 2016 model, once it’s shut off, it stays off until the driver turns it back on. It’s unfortunate that a potentially important piece of safety equipment can be permanently disabled.
Yet, I understand why Mitsubishi does it. The system (and not just in the Outlander) is a bit of a nag. You can easily tire of its constant chirps reminding you the vehicle is drifting outside the lines. Customers who don’t like it want to be able to silence it permanently.
Give the Mitsubishi Outlander strong consideration if you’re in the market for a compact with either good fuel economy or ability to tow combined with seating for seven. The brand is working hard to get your attention and should be willing to deal at some good value prices.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
THE BASICS
Price, base (with destination): $31,845. Fuel economy: 21-city/28-highway/24-combined. Drivetrain: 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 224 @ 6,000 rpm. Torque: 215 @ 6,250 rpm. Overall length: 184.8 in. Wheelbase: 105.1 in. Height: 66.1 in. Width: 71.3 in. Curb weight: 2317 lbs.
THE GOOD
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is a substantively better compact crossover than its predecessor. Ride and handling are improved significantly and you can’t overlook its seven-passenger capacity.
THE BAD
The Outlander has only become good in a class that includes some great compacts like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV4. It needed to beat those strong competitors and not just be almost as good.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander delivers a lot of value. It’s a quiet, nicely handling, seven-passenger crossover that deserves strong consideration.
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